Faint starlight glinted on the ice outside the cave and Pluto hung low over the horizon. What remained of the Sun was barely visible now from Charon’s surface, diminishing with every hour. I glanced down at Lily’s sleeping form. Her head was in my lap and I stroked it gently.
Only fractured memories remained of being hurled across space by the explosion. When I last glimpsed the Sun properly, there was already a black stain spreading over its surface, the missile’s chain reaction working already. My power seeped away and Lily used the last of hers bringing us to land. We couldn't leave now.
Charon and Pluto face each other across their common orbit – Hell and his ferryman circling warily in the outer darkness. It seemed an appropriate enough place to end.
There was the sound of a footfall close by. Lily stirred in her sleep and I dared not move for fear of waking her. I thought for a moment that Uriel had returned, but then remembered that Lily had killed him. And the sigh I heard seemed to come from the whole universe.
In a moment the world changed and I found myself surrounded by grass and birdsong.
Comments
rjnewlyn | February 5, 2011 - 01:21
Final episode next week ...
Rob
celticman | February 5, 2011 - 05:13
grass and birdsong. Sounds very earthy!
skinner_jennifer | February 5, 2011 - 10:34
Hi rjnewlyn,
how do you manage to pack so much information, into such a small space of work?
It's really so well written.
Thankyou for the great read.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | February 5, 2011 - 11:42
Said it before and I'll say it again, you are a master at your craft, Rob. Much enjoyed and looking forward to next week...but then I'm not - if you know what I mean;-)
Tina
rjnewlyn | February 5, 2011 - 20:22
Thanks very much Celticman, Jenny and Tina - very kind of you. And thanks very much for the cherry. Yes, I've also got mixed feelings about next week. I've enjoyed writing this one.
Rob
Beeme | February 5, 2011 - 20:23
'Faint starlight glinted on the ice' such beautiful imagery, and I can't wait to see what the end result is :]
Beeme xx
rjnewlyn | February 5, 2011 - 20:30
Thanks very much Beeme. I hope it's worth the wait ...! Rob
insertponceyfre... | February 5, 2011 - 21:13
very intriguing ending to this part. You don't have to end it next week you know...
rjnewlyn | February 5, 2011 - 23:53
Thanks Insert. Ah, but yes I do ...
fatboy74 | February 6, 2011 - 00:07
I can see why people are not wanting this to end Rob, one of the best parts and the third paragraph is absolutely where it should be, splits the writing and after the recent action is a wonderful stopping point for the reader as well as being a fantastic bit of prose.
V.good IP by the way, I may even give it a go.
All the best FB
rjnewlyn | February 6, 2011 - 18:04
Thanks very much Fatboy. The IP's a bit of a strange one but it was what stuck in my mind at the time. Rob
Sooz006 | May 14, 2012 - 11:39
I also love the splitting para and the way it divides the story neatly in to before and after. I'm sorry to come to the end of this, but looking forward to Sympathy.
rjnewlyn | May 15, 2012 - 16:49
Many thanks Sooz for all your comments on this one - much appreciated.
Rob